Venice

Courtesy of escapade

Venice...Lovely

Courtesy of escapade

J.Crew's Spring Catalog in...

PORTUGAL! (Where I'm dying to go.)

More Paris Love

Courtesy of English Muse

Paris Love

Courtesy of English Muse

Spring Hermes Campaign

So pretty and ethereal.

Snapshots Cont.

Snapshots from Mike's Birthday

Sophia Coppola for Louis Vuitton

I don't even care much for the bags...I just like the campaign

This Is Pretty...

Storm's a Brewin'

I had quite a productive morning...I went and met Pumpkin, a three year old Boston Terrier that I will be dogsitting for a few days next week, then turned in three more applications and resumes. I drove down to the beach and watched the storm roll in, did some laundry, applied for more jobs online and...well, I'm not sure what the rest of the day has in store.

Also Loving This Outfit

Courtesy of escapade

Menton, My Love

Menton, France

Courtesy of Menton Daily Photo

Sigh...

Oh Hello Fabulous Shoes

Courtesy of Garance Dore

Tres Chic

I don't think I could love this look any more. I'm guessing she is French, hence the baguettes.

Courtesy of Habitually Chic

Clean and Crisp

Courtesy of {this is glamorous}

Rain, rain, go away...?

I'm going to need one of these this week. We are in for A LOT of rain...apparently 5"! I actually don't mind, it clears the air and isn't nearly as horrible as Seattle rain since it is about 20 degrees warmer.

DISNEYLAND!!!

Today

Well I wanted to post a million photos, but my internet connection (um...not exactly MY internet connection) doesn't seem very into that idea.

Today was pretty productive...I called at least forty different places asking if they were hiring and found out a few stores were, so tomorrow I'm picking up a ton of applications. I have to admit, I didn't see myself making cold calls asking about jobs at the age of 24 while posessing a college degree from one of the top 50 schools in the nation. I want to complain, but everybody is in the same position, so I'll just keep my mouth shut. I just hope something comes along soon because I am completely out of money after going grocery shopping today.

Lola may or may not have eaten a sewing needle last night. I received the last of my stuff that was still in Seattle and had flattened out all the boxes. M was taking them out when we realized Lola was eating something off the floor. We known she consumed some fuzz from an unknown source but aren't sure if she ate any of the needles as well. We found four and are hoping there weren't five. We watched her like a hawk all night and she acted completely normal and is full of energy today, so we think we are in the clear. We didn't have the option of going to the vet even if she did eat it and was dying...it's such a horrible spot to be in. I feel like a terrible owner and it just makes me feel awful about my life. We need to get pet insurance ASAP but can't afford it. I'm trying to stay positive, but it's getting awfully hard.

I Spent My Birthday....Here!!!

Frankly...

I had a rough day yesterday. M, my boyfriend, has gone out of his way to include me in his life down here but I still desperately want something, anything of my own. A job, a friend, SOMETHING. I got blown off by two separate people last night which didn't help me feel good about life down here. I can't help but have my guard up around new people, I have gotten burned so many times by friends. But, I'm still lonely, I still want people in my life who care about me, people down here I can go to other than M. Hopefully it will happen for me with time.

Despite my lovely surroundings, I can't still help but wish I was here, in Menton, France.

"So hurry sundown..."

My SoCal sunset last night. Okay, this is the LA sunset but I saw a familiar one : ).

Courtesy of The English Muse

May I have this chic of a day tomorrow.

Courtesy of {this is glamorous}

Courtesy of {this is glamorous}

The poised and beautiful Carla Bruini.

Courtesy of {this is glamorous}

Just Dance

Courtesy of {this is glamorous}

Natalia Vodianova, featured in American Vogue.




















Courtesy of {this is glamorous}

Beautiful images from Sister Parish Design: On Decorating

Courtesy of Habitually Chic

Brian's Difference

My mother gave me Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson some time ago repeatedly suggesting that I read it. Following the June 25, 2009 death of my best friend, a 1st Lieutenant in the Army, by an I.E.D. in Afghanistan, the thought of reading a book regarding that region of the world, regardless of how wonderful and positivity-laced a read it may be, was too painful an action to bear.

I voiced my concerns yet my mom continued to suggest it, feeling that it might provide some healing. Six months following his death, I finally picked up the book. And, as she suggested, it has given me a deeper sense of appreciation, love and admiration for Brian.

Brian entered the Army to make a difference. While an immensely skilled soldier, his real concern had nothing to do with fighting but rather about bringing equality to all corners of the world. He would request we send candy, pencils, simple items to give to children he met traveling through the country. Simple items to, even momentarily, lift their spirits and allow them see that Americans could be kind rather than deadly.

In Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson describes traveling to Kabul following September 11, 2001. He begins by telling of visiting medical school classrooms where five hundred students shared ten books, miraculously saved from the Taliban-enfored book burnings of all material containing physical illustrations. He continues his travels to a cluster of villages to examine the state of the area's schools. The children lacked walled schools, instead learning in bombed out, rusting shipping containers...that is the boys did. The girls braved the elements sitting outside in the whipping Afghan wind with a complete lack of any learning materials. Mortenson's companion, reporter Julia Bergman, comments "'Everywhere we went, we saw U.S. planes and helicopters. And I can only imagine the money we were spending on our military. But where was the aid? I'd heard so much about what America promised Afghanistan's people whil I was at home-how rebuilding the country was one of our top priorities. But being there, and seeing so little evidence of help for Afghanistan's children, particularly from the United States, was really embarassing and frustrating for me."

Brian was helping and, I know for a fact, taught his men to help. An incredibly considerate, understanding soul, Brian did all he could to go above and beyond his assigned role to make a difference. It lifts a little grief to know that there are children and individuals in Afghanistan who were possibly consoled, even just a little, by the kind American.